Paula Petersen receives UMKC alumni award

Kansas City, MO – Paula Petersen, executive vice president of Commerce Bancshares, Inc. and executive director of consumer segment and strategic services, Commerce Bank, has been recognized by the University of Missouri – Kansas City’s (UMKC) Alumni Association with the Henry W. Bloch School of Management Academic Alumni Achievement Award. According to UMKC, these awards recognize “...one alumnus/a from each of the twelve academic units who has achieved notable success in his or her professional field and rendered outstanding service to the community.”

Petersen leads departments responsible for shaping the customer experience, driving strategic planning and execution across key areas such as product management, sales, operations, and distribution strategy. Additionally, Petersen holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Wichita State University and graduated with honors in 2007 from UMKC's Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA) Program. Beyond Commerce Bank, Petersen serves on the Fund Development Team for the Youth Volunteer Corps International Board and serves on the UMKC Bloch Advisory Council. She additionally supports the next generation of financial leaders through her involvement with the UMKC Banking Leaders of Tomorrow scholarship and mentor program.

“Paula truly deserves this recognition,” said Charles (Chuck) Kim, executive vice president and chief financial officer, Commerce Bancshares, Inc. “She exemplifies the qualities of a role model, not only within Commerce Bank, but across the entire industry and in the Kansas City community. Paula embodies the leadership and excellence that the Henry W. Bloch School of Management aims to cultivate. We are incredibly fortunate to benefit from her leadership, positive influence, and significant contributions at Commerce.”

View more information and the full list of Awardees opens in a new window.

About Commerce Bancshares, Inc.

With $32.4 billion in assets^{footnote 1}, Commerce Bancshares, Inc. (NASDAQ: CBSH) is a regional bank holding company offering a full line of banking services through its subsidiaries, including payment solutions, investment management and securities brokerage. One of its subsidiaries, Commerce Bank, leverages 160 years of proven strength and experience to help individuals and businesses solve financial challenges. In addition to offering payment solutions across the U.S., Commerce Bank currently operates full-service banking facilities across the Midwest including the St. Louis and Kansas City metropolitan areas, Springfield, Central Missouri, Central Illinois, Wichita, Tulsa, Oklahoma City, and Denver. Beyond the Midwest, Commerce also maintains commercial offices in Dallas, Houston, Cincinnati, Nashville, Des Moines, Indianapolis, and Grand Rapids and wealth offices in Dallas, Houston and Naples. Commerce delivers high-touch service and sophisticated financial solutions at regional branches, commercial and wealth offices, ATMs, online, mobile and through a 24/7 customer service line. Learn more at www.commercebank.com.

¹As of March 31, 2025